Wednesday, 22 May 2013

The State of Nature.

BSBI is one of 25 conservation and research organisations contributing to the ground-breaking State of Nature report, to be published today. Dr Kevin Walker, BSBI Head of Research & Development, worked alongside scientists from the other partner organisations towards this report, a stock take of our native species across the UK and Overseas Territories.

The State of Nature report will be launched this evening, 22nd May, by Sir David Attenborough and other UK conservationists at the Natural History Museum in London, and streamed live to simultaneous events in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

Sir David said, "This report shows that our species are in trouble, with many declining at a worrying rate. However we have in this country a network of passionate conservation groups supported by millions of people who love wildlife. The experts have come together today to highlight the amazing nature we have around us and to ensure that it remains here for generations to come."

Ian Denholm
BSBI's incoming President

Incoming BSBI President Ian Denholm is among those experts offering a short presentation at the launch, on the subject of 'Alien Invaders and Native Thugs'. Follow the link here to see Ian's Powerpoint. One of the State of Nature report's lead authors, Mark Eaton (RSPB), paid tribute to the "army of volunteer wildlife enthusiasts who spend their spare time surveying species and recording their findings." [ I guess many BSBI members would fall into this category!] Mark continued, "Our knowledge of nature in the UK would be significantly poorer without these unsung heroes. And that knowledge is the most essential tool conservationists have." Find out more about the State of Nature report here.